gnosnhoj
User
 A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:European Night Crawlers - 2007/11/13 20:45
mitzi wrote: I thought they were tunnelers. That's what I've read everywhere. NANCs (North American Nightcrawlers) are tunnelers. I haven't dug that deep into the scientific naming of worms, but they are divided by type based on the levels they populate, some being surface, some sub-surface, and some deep-dwellers who only pop up to grab a munchie to take back to the burrow. ENCs would not be touted as bin-suitable composters if they were deep-dwellers. In my experience, they are very similar to EF, although they are somewhat larger and have a different average reproductive rate. The best thing I ever did when I decided to start worming was read, from inception, this forum and the other that I see you've joined (there are more out there...), along with a lot of question-asking, Googling etc. Much was revealed based on posters' experiences as well as quoted scientific studies.
I've asked all over the place about native worms and can't seem to get any answers from anyone. If you have native worms, I expect they will like any organics introduced, but I'm not about to coach you on care or raising them for harvest. I just try to make sure my garden & yard soil have what they need and leave 'em to do what they do. There always appear to be more where I've added compost, either thermal or vermi...'course that's where I dig the most too . My raised veggie beds, a couple of them >24" above grade, are full of natives. I've not found any ENCs or EFs in there from season to season, even though I'm sure the vc I've spread about contained viable cocoons and probably a few young 'uns in the mix as well.
Y'all have fun, whatever you're doing. Gary Hopkinsville, KY |